Modular display unit having a plurality of wall panels



PANELS D. W. FOWLER Feb. 25, 1969 MODULAR DISPLAY UNIT HAVING APLURALITY OF WALL Filed Dec. 12, 196";

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United States Patent C 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A modulardisplay unit, adapted for stacking, has a plurality of identical sidewall panels, preferably made of translucent plastic with large windowcut-outs, and a shelf resting on lower inwardly turned flanges. In asimple embodiment, four rectangular panels interlock at vertical cornerswith post and recess interconnections, utiliz ing the spring-likeresiliency of horizontal upper and lower flanges unsupported at one sideof each panel but made rigid at the opposite side by a verticalconnecting flange. An inward joggle, at the side having a connectingflange, seats the unsupported ends of the upper and lower flanges of theadjacent panel, with rigidity that retains the panels perpendicular toeach other.

Background of the invention This invention relates to modular displayfixtures, for

use in store display windows and other display areas, to show and focusattention on articles of merchandise displayed therein. Moreparticularly, it relates to those display fixtures which are themselvesornamental, as those made of translucent or colored plastics; which aremodular, so that they may be stacked securely upon one another; whichare provided with large open areas or windows which focus attention onthe articles displayed; and which are made up of relatively flat orshallow elements, to be assembled without any tools.

Description of the prior art In order that display fixtures may berigid, they are ordinarily constructed as rigidly assembled units. Incontrast to plywood construction, such plastic materials are relativelydelicate and frangible, and cannot readily be assembled, by the use ofconventional simple fasteners, into rigid units.

Summary of the invention The present invention is directed to theproblem how relatively flat or shallow, structural members, made ofattractive materials such as transparent and translucent coloredplastics, may be assembled into rigid modular display fixtures withoutthe use of any fasteners whatsoever. Generally summarizing the presentinvention (without limitation to the features summarized), I provide amodular display unit whose principal members are four identical sidewall panels preferably made of such plastic material. Each has aninwardly turned horizontal upper flange and a similar lower flange.Adjacent to one side of the panel, the flanges have vertically offsetjoggles, whose ends are connected by a vertical flange formed inwardlyfrom the side wall panel, affording to these ends great rigidity.

Integral aligning connectors are provided on the flanges, preferablyposts on one side and complementary recesses at the other side, toreceive the posts of an adjacent panel. On assembly, the connectors onthe unsupported flange portions will springingly engage the connectorsat the supported ends of the flanges of the adjacent panels. Abutment ofthe flange edges against the vertical offsets of 3,429,428 Patented Feb.25, 1969 the joggles aids in holding the panels precisely perpendicularto each other.

An interior shelf, resting at its corners on the joggles of the lowerflanges, transmits superimposed loads downward at the corners only. As aresult, the side wall panels may have central circular or oval cut-outwindows, which serve to frame the view of an article displayed on theshelf. Vertical alignment of stacked modules is achieved by upwardprojections on the panel upper flanges and corresponding recesses in thelower flanges.

The simple preferred embodiment hereinafter described in detail isrectangular; however other forms of modules, such as those hexagonal orcircular in plan form, may be constructed in the same general manner, ashereinafter more fully disclosed.

Brief description of the drawings Description of the preferredembodiment The modular display unit of FIG. 1 is comprised principallyof four rectangular side wall panels, such as the panel generallydesignated 10, shown in all the figures. r

The adjacent panels generally designated 10 and .10", and the oppositepanel 10" are identical. Each is formed, as by molding, of material suchas a transparent or translucent plastic, whose color and texture makesit attractive for purposes of display.

The side wall panel 10 is flanged inwardly on three sides. It has aninwardly turned upper flange 11 and an inwardly turned lower flange 12,which project normally horizontally, at least at and adjacent to theleft and right edges of the side wall panel 10. The normallyhorizontally extending flanges 11, 12 will inherently possess aspringlike resiliency which, by suitable choice of material, permitsthem to bend slightly under a manually applied force. The flanges andother detail portions of the side wall panels 10', 10 and 10' arenumbered like the corresponding superscripts.

Adjacent to one of the side edges (the left side in FIG. 2), the flanges11, 12 have vertical spacing joggles 13, 14 respectively, whose depth issubstantially equal to the depth of the flanges 11, 12 of which they area part; hence the joggles 13, .14 will fit inwardly of portions of thecorresponding flanges 11, 12 at the opposite side edge of an adjacentpanel 10". The joggles 13, 14 each have shallow vertical surfaceportions 15, 16 respectively which extend perpendicular to the innersurface portion of the side wall panel 10. Their spacing from the edgeof the panel 10 is a distance substantially equal to the width of theupper and lower flanges 11, 12.

Parallel to the vertical space portions .15, 16 and gen erallyperpendicular to the inner surface of the side wall panel 10, along theside edge thereto at which the joggles 13, 14 are formed, is a verticalflange 20. It joins the upper and lower flanges 11 at the outer edges ofthe joggles 13, 14, thus rigidly supporting the flanges 11, 12 at thejoggled ends 13, 14. By the support so provided, the flanges 11, 12 arerigidly restrained from bending elastically away from horizontal. Henceon assembly, the locking means hereafter described will force apart thefreely outstanding flange edges 21", 22" of an adjacent panel as shownat the left side of FIG. 2. At the opposite side edge, however, (in FIG.2 the right side) the upper and lower flanges 11, 12 have freelyoutstanding ends 21, 22, which will similarly deflect elastically onbeing manually assembled to that edge of an adjacent panel 10' which isreinforced by a vertical flange connecting upper and lower joggles 13,14".

The locking means, used to elfect rigid securement of the side wallpanel 10', 10" etc. to each other, includes a pair of post-like upperand lower vertical projections 25, 26 in alignment with each other onthe upper and lower flanges 11, 12 respectively. These are spaced inwardfrom the vertical edge flange 20, a distance less than the width of theupper and lower flanges 11, 12. Mating with them are recess means toreceive them, preferably bores 27, 28 of suitable size in the upper andlower flanges 11, 12 adjacent to and generally spaced inward from theopposite edge.

Adjacent to each of the upper and lower bores 27, 28 is an entrant slope29. As will be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3, on application of a manual forceto assemble the adjacent panel 10", the entrant slope portions 29provide camming contact with the upper and lower post-like projections25, 26 to force apart the freely outstanding flange ends 21, 22" untilthe upper and lower bores 27", 28" spring and lock in place onto thepost-like projections 25, 26. So engaged, the inwardly extending edgesof the upper and lower freely outstanding flange ends 21", 22" will abutsquarely against the vertical surface portions 15, 16 of the upper andlower joggles 13, 14; and the panel edge having the vertical flange 20will abut squarely against the inner surface of the adjacent side wallpanel 10". The other corners of the module are similarly locked inposition precisely perpendicular to each other.

Along the upper flange 11 spaced inwardly from the side edges of thewall panel 10, are narrow upward projections 31, which flt intocorresponding recesses 32, vertically aligned therewith along the lowerflange 12. When a similar modular unit to that shown in FIGURE 1 isplaced thereon, the projections 31 of the lower unit will nest in therecesses 32 of the unit thereabove, to effect its secure verticalalignment.

A shelf panel 35, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is substantially square, havingnotched corner cut-outs 36 which accommodate the vertical flanges 20.Adjacent to these cut-outs 36 on the lower surface of the shelf panelare support areas 37 which correspond in area to the lower joggles 14 onwhich they rest. As will be seen from FIGURE 2, the only contact betweenthe shelf panel 35 and the remainder of the structure is at the supportareas 37. Accordingly when such modular units are assembled and stackedon each other, the weight supported by the several shelf panels 35 willbe transmitted through the lower joggles 14, 14', 14", 14" and reactedthrough the vertical flanges 20, 20 20", 20" of the units therebeneath.

This pattern of load transfer to the substantially rigid corners of themodules makes it possible to provide the side wall panels 10, 10', 10",10" with large oval or circular window like cut-outs such as the ovalcut-out 40. Such cut-outs would seriously lessen the load-bearingcapacity of the panels themselves.

Accordingly, the present construction provides a unit made up of aplurality of identically formed side panels 10, 10, 10", 10" which arenearly fiat, together with a flat shelf panel 35; so that the unit isreadily shipped in knocked-down condition and readily assembled withoutthe use of any tools whatsoever. The manner in which the panelsinterlock, without fasteners, makes it possible to use plastic panelswhose assembly would otherwise present a diflicult problem. Theextremely large cut-outs serve as attractive frames through whichobjects supported on the shelf panels 35 are clearly seen, while theattractive transparent or translucent material invites the viewer tolook more closely at the articles displayed.

By appropriate modifications, which will be apparent from the foregoingwithout detailed illustration, the modules may be made in differingshapes. For example, hexagonal modules may be readily made up of sixfoursided panels. Vertical flanges on such panels will project inwardlytherefrom at any convenient angle. The vertical surface portions of thejoggles will be so spaced and so extend inwardly from each side wallpanel as to receive and abut portions of the edges of the freelyoutstanding flanges of the adjacent panel, which formed to such contouras to engage the joggles and abut their vertical surface portions. Thisabutting engagement, in cooperation with the post and recess interlock,serves to position adjacent side panels at the exterior angle of ahexagonal module. Likewise, a module may be made in cylindrical form, byutilizing any convenient plurality of four-sided wall panels arcuate inshape and sufficient to total 360. All such panels include thehorizontal upper and lower flange portions described, freely outstandingat one side edge and reinforced by a vertical flange portion at theother side edge.

Accordingly, the present invention is not to be narrowly construed, butrather as co-extensive with the claims.

I claim: 1. A rectangular modular display unit, comprising foursimilarly formed rectangular side wall panels, each having an inwardlyturned upper flange and an inwardly turned lower flange projectingnormally horibontally therefrom at and adjacent to its left and rightedges, said flanges being of such material composition and thickness asto possess spring-like resiliency under a manually-applied force, theportions of said flanges adjacent to one of said side edges havingvertical spacing joggles substantially equal in depth to the thicknessof the flange, whereby to fit inwardly of the opposite edge flangeportions of an adjacent panel secured to it at a rectangular corner,locking means to effect such securernent, comprising a pair of post-likevertical projections on the upper and lower flanges adjacent to one saidedge aligned with each other and spaced inward from said edge less thanthe width of the flanges, and recess means to receive said post-likeprojections in said upper and lower flanges adjacent to and similarlyspaced inward from the other edge, each panel being characterized inhaving a vertical flange perpendicular to the side wall panel along oneof its side edges and joined to the upper and lower flange ends at saidedge, whereby to provide rigid support for the upper and lower flangeends at said edge and restrain same from bending elastically away fromhorizontal, the upper end lower flange ends at the other side edge beingfreely outstanding, whereby to deflect elastically on being manuallyassembled to the flanged side edge of an adjacent panel and to lockspringly onto the locking means thereon. 2. A rectangular modulardisplay unit as defined in claim 1, together with entrant slope meanscooperating with the freely outstanding flange ends to urge same todeflect elastically to effect locking engagement between said post-likeprojections and said recess means. 3. A rectangular modular display unitas defined in claim 1, wherein the end portions of the upper and lowerflanges having said joggles are closer to each other than the height ofthe remainder of the panel and the vertical flange is along that sideedge at which the joggled ends are formed on the upper and lowerflanges, whereby to rigidly support said joggle ends and on assembly toforce apart the freely outstanding flange edges of such an adjacentpanel and abut against the inner side wall surface thereof. 4. Arectangular modular display unit as defined in claim 3, wherein thepost-like vertical projections are formed on the said joggled endportions of the upper and lower flanges and extend in alignmentrespectively upwardly and downwardly therefrom, and entrant slopes areformed in the inwardly extending edges of the freely outstandingflanges, and the recess means extend through said flanges adjacent tothe entrant slopes. 5. A rectangular modular display unit as defined inclaim 3, wherein each joggle end portion of said upper and lower flangeshas a vertical surface portion extending perpendicular to the side wallsurface and parallel to the vertical flange at a distance therefromsubstantially equal to the width of said flanges, whereby on engagementof the locking means in alignment, the vertical flange of one panel willabut squarely against the inner surface of the side wall of the adjacentpanel and its freely outstanding flange ends will abut squarely againstsaid vertical surface portions of the joggles, thereby securing theadjacent wall panels precisely perpendicular to each other. 6. Arectangular modular display unit as defined in claim 3, together withupward projections along the upper horizontal flange and recessesvertically aligned therewith along the lower horizontal flange, wherebythe upward projections will seat into the recesses of a similar modularunit placed thereon and thereby eflect vertical alignment thereof. 7. Arectangular modular display unit as defined in claim 6, wherein the sidewall panels have enlarged cut-outs, together with a substantially squareshelf panel having a length substantially equal to the length of theside wall panel and having notched corner cut-outs of such size as toreceive the vertical flanges of said shelf panels, the shelf panelshaving at their lower side corners, support areas corresponding to theareas of the joggled end portions of the flanges, whereby the weightsupported by a shelf panel will be reacted through said joggled ends andthrough the vertical flanges of similar modular units in verticalalignment therebeneath. 8. A modular display unit, comprising aplurality of similarly formed four-sided wall panels, each having aninwardly turned upper flange and an inwardly turned lower flangeprojecting normally horizontally therefrom at and adjacent to its leftand right edges,

said flanges being of such material composition and thickness as topossess spring-like resiliency under a manually-applied force,

the portions of said flanges adjacent to one of said side edges havingvertical spacing joggles substantially equal in depth to the thicknessof the flange,

whereby to fit inwardly of the opposite edge flange portions of anadjacent panel secured to it,

locking means to effect such securement, comprising a pair of post-likevertical projections on the upper and lower flanges adjacent to one saidedge aligned with each other and spaced inward from said edge less thanthe width of the flanges, and

recess means to receive said post-like projections in said upper andlower flanges adjacent to and similarly spaced inward from the otheredge,

each panel being characterized in having a vertical flange projectinginwardly from the side wall panel along one of its side edges and havingportions joined to the upper and lower flange ends at said edge,

whereby to provide rigid support for the upper and lower flange ends atsaid edge and restrain same from bending elastically away fromhorizontal,

the upper and lower flange ends at the other side edge being freelyoutstanding,

whereby to deflect elastically on being manually assembled to theflanged side edge of an adjacent panel and to lock springly onto thelocking means thereon.

9. A modular display unit as defined in claim 8, wherein the endportions of the upper and lower flanges having said joggles are closerto each other than the height of the remainder of the panel and thevertical flange is along that side edge at which the joggled ends areformed on the upper and lower flanges, and wherein each joggle endportion of said upper and lower flanges has a vertical surface portionextending inwardly from the side wall panel surface and spaced from thevertical flange,

whereby on assembly to such an adjacent panel, to receive and abut theportion of the edge of the freely outstanding flange thereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,988,411 6/1961 Vannice 206-45313,327,882 6/1967 Andrews 2204 JAMES B. MARBERT, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 220-4

